New car key features: Beyond unlocking, find your car or cool it down

The traditional key with a blade inserted into the ignition is becoming a thing of the past. Modern technology offers much more than just car access without a remote. These small devices have much greater capabilities.

A very useful feature on hot summer days is the option to quickly cool the car's interior parked in the sun. Simply hold down the door unlock button, and all the windows will automatically open, ventilating the cabin. Similarly, holding the door lock button ensures that everything is securely closed.

Lost your car in a large parking lot? Depending on the model, the button combinations may vary, but usually, simply holding one of them will make the car signal its position with the horn.

Alarm mode is an interesting but not always available feature. In case of trouble, the key can activate the car alarm, which will certainly attract the attention of passersby.

This is a particularly intriguing solution – for example, in Mercedes models, pressing the vehicle lock button twice disables the keyless system. As a result, the car won't react to something like an animal running under the bumper, which would usually open the trunk. Furthermore, this provides solid protection against thieves exploiting weak points in the keyless system.

Even in modern cars, malfunctions can occur. This is why currently used keys contain a hidden blade, allowing you to open the car in the event of a key battery failure.

This feature is characteristic of BMW and Hyundai hybrid cars. Thanks to the electric motor, it is possible to move the vehicle forward and backward. It can be useful in tight parking spaces, although in practice, it is rather an unnecessary addition.